Lowestoft: New Crossing For Lake Lothing

Suffolk County Council are considering three different options for a new crossing over Lake Lothing.

They have commissioned urban planning and engineering experts WSP to develop the options and lead a major public consultation on them.

Firstly, WSP will look closely at the three options for the location of the crossing. They are, west of the Bascule Bridge, West of Silo Quay and near to the Brooke Business and Industrial Park. Then, the public will be given a chance to have their say about it.

WSP will then carry out further technical work on the option that is chosen, including the crossing’s design. This will also be subject to a public consultation. They will also assess how the new crossing could impact on the enviornment.

The council is hoping that the crossing locations will be up for public consultation as soon as May 2014 and that by October that year, there will be a public discussion about the preferred scheme.

Councillor Mark Bee, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said:

“We’ve been working with Waveney District Council, Peter Aldous MP and other partners to review Lowestoft’s roads and transport infrastructure and a new river crossing is a fundamental part of that work.

“This is an important milestone in our work to improve Lowestoft’s road network and the way people move around the town.”

Councillor Colin Law, Waveney District Council’s leader, said:

"It is absolutely imperative that we deliver the right outcome for Lowestoft and the people of the town will play an important role in the development of a new river crossing. As Leader of Waveney District Council, I am absolutely determined to see this through and I am really looking forward to working closely with WSP on this landmark scheme."

“The Chamber have for many years been actively working towards identifying and securing the delivery of solutions to the infrastructure inadequacies of Lowestoft. As the leading business support organisation in the area and a partner of LTIP we are very pleased that the county council has now commissioned consultants to undertake this essential and important options appraisal.”

Mark Pendlington, incoming chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and representative on the Local Transport Body, said:

“A new Lake Lothing crossing has been something people have wanted, and Lowestoft has needed, for some time. So it’s fantastic that plans are now being drawn up and residents and business owners will get an opportunity to see and comment on them. I urge everyone to take part and have their say.

“Making sure Lowestoft has a viable roads network, fit to meet the needs of business and of a growing population, is a top priority.”